Snap Fitness signs 30-club UK franchise deal

International gym franchise Snap Fitness has announced that it has signed a major UK development plan with MSG Life to open 30 new clubs – the largest deal in the brand’s history.

Financial terms of the deal were not released, however, Snap Fitness – which has more than 2,000 clubs open or in development worldwide – said the move advances the current UK plans in place with master developer TwentyTwoYards.

“With millions of prospective members in this area, this is a paramount move for our brand,” said Snap Fitness chief development officer Steele Smiley.

“Snap Fitness will be the gym that dominates the market – as it does in countless other countries.”

MSG Life plans to open clubs across the UK, with the first site expected to launch in Bristol in May. The company is primarily owned by members of the Grewal family, which has enjoyed success as a prominent franchisee of Domino’s Pizza in the UK.

Speaking to Health Club Management last year, TwentyTwoYards owner Matt Quinn said Snap Fitness UK sites will be approximately 5,000sq ft (464.5sq m) and feature a selection of gym equipment from Matrix Fitness, Cybex, Technogym, Octane, with MyZone also on offer. Memberships will typically cost around £30 per month, with Quinn eager to remain focused on bringing new people into gyms.

“We want to define value in the mid-tier segment of the industry, at a price point that’s affordable,” added Quinn.

“We’re focusing on the 87 per cent not currently signed up to a gym and believe that identifying underserved locations and offering a clearly defined point of difference will help us to achieve this.”